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Economy

Government-aided job growth is necessary for a healthy East Bay economy

"We all have a stake in making sure that everyone, especially people in vulnerable communities, has access to employment opportunities that pay a decent living wage." –Barbara Lee

A real economic recovery for our urban centers will take time and patience along with thoughtful investment in our collective future. A "cuts only" budget strategy does not address the jobs crisis being experienced in our congressional district, and in every corner of the country.

We need to take the necessary steps to steer our economy and get it back on track. Targeted economic stimulation can provide a roadmap for economic revitalization in the United States. Congresswoman Lee believes that we must craft policies that will help our most disadvantaged neighbors.

Stimulating Job Growth While Supporting the Unemployed

We need to continue to support not only long-term unemployed and under employed Americans, but also put forth creative job growth strategies. People will only invest capital, expand their businesses and create more jobs once they feel comfortable with the economy and the overall fiscal health of the country. The government can act as the much-needed catalyst to give the US market the jumpstart it needs to get back on track.

In addition, Congresswoman Lee believes that targeted tax cuts for middle and low income Americans is a prudent investment.

Cut Military Spending

Military expenditures currently represent over half of all discretionary monies in our federal budget, and this funding continues to increase each year. We must decrease the militarization of our budget, and increase investment in humanitarian priorities.

Congresswoman Lee supports major and immediate cuts to the military, which would constitute a savings that could be reallocated to fund healthcare, improve our schools, and promote an alternative energy industry. This would also force our military to drastically draw down its troop levels, and thus prompt a re-thinking of how our troops are deployed and on what basis they should come home. Congresswoman Lee believes in a strong national defense based on real threats, but also recognizes that a "smart security" strategy will reduce tensions as we seek global peace and security.